McAdam: A lot to like about Tanner Houck's first week in the Red Sox rotation

Yes, it's just two starts. Yes, they've come with his team far out of contention, making for the perfect relaxed environment.

And no, none of this is to suggest Tanner Houck is necessarily guaranteed future greatness, or even a permanent spot in the Red Sox starting rotation in 2021, though, frankly, the odds on the latter are getting better every day.

So sure, some perspective is needed. But it's hard not to be impressed with what he's shown.

Here's what we now about Houck after two outings at the major league level.

1. He's got poise to spare.

Houck doesn't rattle, although he's been so effective, that quality hasn't been put to the test often in his first 11 innings.

But in his debut in Miami and again Sunday against the Yankees, Houck wasn't dealing with jitters or doubting his worthiness on a major league mound. He wasn't cowed by some pretty intimidating hitters in the Yankee lineup. And on the occasions where he got himself into a little bit of trouble, he quickly figured out how to extricate himself from the mess.

He hit the second batter of the game (Luke Voit) and then erased him with a double play. In the third, after Rafael Devers' throwing error enabled Clint Frazier to reach, Houck again got a double-play ball.

He kept chugging along through the New York order until, through five innings, he hadn't allowed a hit. When Tyler Wade put an end to any no-hitter thoughts, Houck followed by walking D.J. LeMahieu before -- you guessed it -- taking him of that with his third double-play grounder.

No muss, no fuss.



"I think that's kind of his personality,'' said Ron Roenicke. "He's kind of a laid-back guy and so that's what I would expect with him on the mound. He doesn't get keyed up, he doesn't rush things. He tried to keep everything kind of slow and (to) a good rhythm. I think as long as he can keep that composure and keep his rhythm (he should be fine).''

Not even the no-hitter in progress threw him.

"I was just focused on making my pitch,'' he said evenly, "and continuing to follow the game plan.''

2. He can make adjustments.

In his first start against Miami, Houck flashed a 95 mph fastball at times, overpowering some of the Marlins' hitters. On Sunday, his fastball was mostly 92, but it didn't seem to matter.

"I knew going into it that my two-seamer was going to be my main (weapon) today,'' Houck said. "Whenever the velo's down, I usually lean on it a little bit more.''

"We saw big velocity the first time from him,'' said Roenicke, "and today was saw a big change in velocity. But the effectiveness is still there. He's still able to make pitches, he still has good movement on his fastball.''

Even the most talented pitchers are going to have games where they stuff isn't 100 percent. Sometimes, it will be a loss of power. Sometimes, it will be the inability to command a particular pitch, forcing them to rely more heavily on another part of their arsenal.

The fact that Houck is already able to do this -- against the Yankees, in his second start -- speaks to his ability to make adjustments when he has to.

The Sox, meanwhile, aren't alarmed by the drop-off with the fastball.

"I think that's happened with him before,'' said Roenicke. "Our medical staff has talked to the medical staff in Pawtucket (the alternate training site where Houck spent the summer) and that was the same thing that they've seen. Physically, it's not something that's keeping him from throwing (as hard); he's just one of those guys who fluctuates a lot.''

3. The stuff plays.

It's one thing to have a mid-90s fastball, and a darting slider in simulated games or minor league games. It's another altogether to replicate that against major league hitters.

Houck has made that transition -- twice -- and shows no signs that his stuff won't translate.

"You don't know what's going to happen when you bring up a young guy, how's he going to perform,'' Roenicke said. "You never know until you face big-league hitters. But seeing him again a real hot offense, it's great to see that that stuff that everyone has seen in our minor league system comes up here and it plays. When he made pitches, it plays against some of the best hitters there are, so that's pretty cool to see.''

With a plus fastball and slider, Houck isn't afraid to be aggressive.

"Attacking the zone, that's No. 1,'' he said." If you're around the plate on a consistent basis and getting ahead early, it gets them on their heels a little bit and they have to take more defensive swings.''